Mechanical and biological characterization of novel implant-to-bone surfaces for endoprostheses

The implant-to-bone interface of endoprostheses is a critical region affecting the stability of the implant. Current advancements in additive manufacturing allow to manufacture novel bone-replicating porous surfaces capable to enhance osteointegration. In this study, small cylindrical porous samples were modelled from microCT images of human trabecular bone, and from the repetition of spherical-hollow cubic and octahedron unit cells, and manufactured via Selective Laser Melting (SLM) from CoCr powder. Macro- and micro- characterization of the porous samples were assessed using optical microscope, SEM and microCT. Mechanical properties were measured via ISO testing. Osteoblast-like cells proliferation and viability were assessed in vitro at 24 h, 1 week and 2 week. While some topographical alterations were observed on all samples, the SLM process does not appear to alter the biocompatibility of CoCr and could therefore be used to create joint-specific implant-to-bone porous surfaces.